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Topic Review (Newest First)

05-05-2006, 10:56 AM

Wldeyefoto

Just to confuse the issue a little more

The May 1, 2006 issue of Autoweek magazine has pictures of a soon-to-be-released 911 variant: a Targa!Grease Monkey

04-29-2006, 05:16 PM

atlantaZ8

Re: 911

04-29-2006, 02:08 PM

Z8mania

I guess it all depeends on your sense of fun

If you are used to the rear engine weight bias of a Porsche, thats one thing, but I personally do not like the convertible ones- and I don't consider the targas convertibles- more like a T-top. A Porsche can become more of a handful for an unknowing driver more quickly than can a more evenly weight biased car like a M3- nearly 50/50. The awd system helps porsche not only by providing some traction from the front wheels but also adding some weight to the front, thereby reducing the rear- weight bias that can really make the car tricky. Keep in mind this is coming from someone who is just not really that inspired by Porsche- save for the C-GT! (btw- that is a very dangerous car in inexperienced hands!)

04-28-2006, 08:32 AM

Z8NY

...than an M3 Cabrio...not a Z8 of course!

04-28-2006, 07:30 AM

Z8NY

Wouldn't a '97 Targa be more fun?

04-28-2006, 06:41 AM

Z8mania

I know- but I thought you said

you have 100k to play with- more or less what a used Z8 would be worth (though Ive seen how you drive yours!!! lol) ;-)

How about a used CLK? Was that a no to MB or that they dont make anything in the price class.

If its for your wife, how about a 3 series cabrio? a 325 cabrio starts new at around 39k- imagine you can get one with a few miles on it for less.

or how about a M3 cabrio to go with the Z8?! 2 M division engines under the same roof- I don't know if I can take the excitement! ;-)

04-27-2006, 01:13 AM

Michael

British cars

While in college, I restored and drove a 1967 MGB for 6 very long years,

Never went anywhere without a tow strap and a squeege. Yes, I would drive down the highway sqeeging the water off the windshield when the wipers decided they were not going to function.

Did I tell you about the hood latches that failed (both of them) and having the hood fly up, wrap over the windhield and smash my head into the steering wheel? I was on the freeway in Seattle. Kept my cool by viewing the road ahead under the cowl gap with the hood open. The aluminum formed to the exact shape of my head.

Or about taking a cruise out in the boonies when she just quit running. Culprit? a 3 cent felt washer under the condensor in the distributor perforating and shorting out.

The less I drove it, the better it ran.

04-26-2006, 11:13 PM

Z8NY

Are you kidding me?

We're talking about $35K. I'll dump the Audi, keep the SUV, and have two little toys...one for the family and one for me.

Come on Jerry, you know me better than that.

04-26-2006, 10:41 PM

Z8mania

are you going to sell the Z8 for this?

say it aint so!

04-26-2006, 06:14 PM

Z8NY

Re: DB9!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LMAO

Bro, if I had a driveway like yours maybe I could afford a DB9.

04-26-2006, 04:42 PM

joea2

DB9!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LMAO

The Continental GT Convertible is quite nice.[IMG]

04-26-2006, 04:22 PM

Z8NY

Grease Monkey...the voice of reason

All good points. You have convinced me.

04-26-2006, 04:02 PM

Wldeyefoto

Re: 911

Sorry, thought you were referring to one of the recent attempts to revive the Austin Healey marque. The 3000 Mk. III Healey (BJ8) you saw is a lovely car and one of the nicest driving sports cars from that era. I believe the 4 seat version was called the BT8 though I have never seen one. The drawback to a car like that is you can't rely on it: Lucas, the Prince of Darkness, will always be your traveling companion and your family isn't going to understand when you ask them to get out and push in the middle of a downpour. If it's just you, then never knowing when something is going to quit working is part of the ambience (or is that insanity?) of British sports car ownership. Get the 911 and live happily ever after! Grease Monkey

04-26-2006, 11:38 AM

Z8NY

911

Yeah, I liked the 911 Targa too. The only problem I had with it was that the roof sometimes would make a creaking sound in a tight turn. Other than that, it is a great car. One thing I liked about the Targa vs. the Cabrio was if it was really hot I could close it up and turn on the A/C without sacrificing the panoramic view. Also, it didn't mess up my wife's hair nearly as much as the Z8 does.

Re: the BJ8...I'd never heard of one either until I saw one recently at a classic car shop. Interesting little car, albeit pretty underpowered. Here's a link.

http://www.healey.org/member-cars-bj8.shtml

04-26-2006, 11:27 AM

Wldeyefoto

Re: BJ8

Besides the styling differences which are a matter of personal taste, the current generation 911s are the best handling Porsche's ever built by a significant margin (except for the Carrera GT, of course). Since you've owned a previous generation 911, you know what they're like and if you enjoyed the driving experience, I see no reason to avoid them, especially given the price difference. The 911 seems like the best compromise when sporty driving and carrying kids must be combined. I am not familiar with the Austin Healey you mentioned. Sorry.Grease Monkey

04-25-2006, 06:01 PM

Z8NY

BJ8

Thanks for the list GM. Lots to chew on.

Are you familiar with the Austin Healey BJ8? If so, what do you think about it?

My wife wouldn't mind going back to the 911. We used to have a '95 Cabrio and then we had a '96 Targa. She really liked that Targa. Is there really a huge difference between that one (the 993 model) and the ones they're making today? I could probably pick up a '97 with 50,000 miles for $35K (which might be less than that Austin Healey...although not as unusual I suppose).

04-25-2006, 04:06 PM

Wldeyefoto

Re: Great looking 2+2 convertibles?

Interesting dilemma! Ferrari did make a drop-top version of a 4 seater called the Mondial Cabriolet. Mid-engine, V8 powered. Current prices in the $50k range. Haven't heard about a convertible Quatroporte yet but I believe Maserati will produce one given the success of the coupe. Jaguar's new XK is available as a convertible and does have rear seats, though they are rather limited in space and might not work for your boys. The previous XK was also available as a ragtop and I own one because we couldn't fit our dog in the Z8. Great car for cruising, active suspension, auto only, classic styling, smallish rear seats, XKR version supercharged to 400 HP. You might also consider a 911 Porsche since they are available as cabriolets and have rear seats that will actually accomodate small children. The current versions are really great driving cars. If you could double your budget, I think the DB9 convertible would have to be at the top of the list. If you wanted a bit more room so you could also take adults with you, the about-to-be-released Bentley Continental GT convertible is one sweet machine! But if it means giving up your Z8, I don't believe any car out there will be able to compare and you'll regret the decision. Good luck. Grease Monkey

04-25-2006, 01:41 PM

Z8NY

Great looking 2+2 convertibles?

I'm not saying that my wife is getting on my case about the fact that there's no room in the car for our two young sons...ok, well maybe I am. But I'm curious, how many 2+2 or 4-seater convertibles can even hold a candle to my Z8?

JoeA will yell, "DB9!!!" and I can't say that I disagree with him. But, at $190K its a little bit out of my range. Although its one handsome car. Funny how the design is so similar to our lovely little roadsters. ;)

But what else is there? The M6 Convertible makes me ill. Ferrari has no offering that I am aware of today (although it would be pretty cool to see a Scaglietti with a retractable top) and the old 2+2s seem to have all been coupes unless I'm mistaken.

What else is out there?

Mercedes? No.
Audi? Boring.
Maserati? Are they going to make that Quattroportte topless?

Man, this is a really looking like an underserved market.

Have at it, you've got $100K to spend, what do you buy to fit 2 adults and 2 smallish kids? New or used.